Influence of COVID-19 on the Perception of Academic Self-Efficacy, State Anxiety, and Trait Anxiety in College Students

Abstract

The worldwide pandemic situation caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a state of confinement of the population, which has caused, following consulted research, an increase in stress. Faced with this situation, the Spanish university not only had to adapt to the changes derived from the causes of the pandemic but also had to face a new methodological model—e-learning teaching—for which not all teachers and students were prepared. This could cause an increase in stress due to the uncertainty caused by this time of change. This research analyzes the relationship between perceived self-efficacy in the confinement period and the level of trait anxiety (TA) and state anxiety (SA) during COVID-19. Four hundred twenty-seven students from the University of Granada (Spain) participated in this study. The adaptation of two scales that measure perceived academic self-efficacy and anxiety (TA and SA) has been applied. The results indicated that there was an inversely proportional relationship between anxiety and self-efficacy; men showed the highest perception of self-efficacy, while women had higher scores in TA and SA; the latter was accentuated in cases when a relative died. To conclude, students who show a higher level of anxiety (TA and SA) express more negative emotions and also perceive themselves with less academic self-efficacy. Therefore, a stressful situation (pandemic and confinement) together with a critical event (illness and death of a relative/friend due to COVID-19) increases anxiety levels and influences the perception of academic self-efficacy.

Proposal for a Fitness Program in the School Setting during the COVID 19 Pandemic: Effects of an 8-Week CrossFit Program on Psychophysical Well-Being in Healthy Adolescents

“…Interestingly, the RESE results showed improvements on self-efficacy. In 2020, Alemany-Arrebola et al demonstrated that the worldwide pandemic situation has caused an increase in stress and also showed that a stressful situation (pandemic and confinement) together with a critical event (COVID-19), increases anxiety levels and influences the perception of self-efficacy [ 44 ]. Although the connection between self-esteem and regular physical activity is well documented, Dominski et al (2020) showed a connection between CrossFit training and higher levels of psychological functioning (well-being, affect, body awareness, and self-esteem) [ 45 , 46 ].…”

Analysis and Psychoeducational Implications of the Behavior Factor During the COVID-19 Emergency

“…If we adopt the approach of whole-person development (physical, socio-moral, motor, cognitive and linguistic), studying the impact in these different aspects should be of interest. Also of interest are peer relations mediated by technology, as well as the impact on pre-existing problems in this area, such as cyberbullying, sexting, and so on ( Alemany-Arrebola et al, 2020 ). We analyze how this experience of stress produces effects in different stages of education, as well as how to address and promote behavioral health, based on models that have contributed empirical evidence.…”

“…Effects within the family context are important when detecting problem areas and establishing guidelines for intervention. Also important is the effect on academic achievement and construction of scholastic and academic competencies, including the areas of special educational needs and attention to diversity ( Alemany-Arrebola et al, 2020 ; Martarelli et al, 2020 ; Zaccoletti et al, 2020 ).…”

State-Anxiety and Academic Burnout Regarding University Access Selective Examinations in Spain During and After the COVID-19 Lockdown

“…Some studies have already shown how the confinement situation in different countries has been associated with anxiety, mood changes, changes in daily life patterns (including increased consumption of tobacco and alcohol, longer exposure to screens, etc.) and worsening health-related behaviors, among other variables ( Alemany-Arrebola et al, 2020 ; López-Bueno et al, 2020a , b ; Smith et al, 2020 ).…”